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To Bansuri Tutorial Videos, CDs and Books >>>
Buckingham Music, Inc. Bansuri Flutes The Bansuri flute may be seen in many sacred pictures of Lord Krishna and Saraswati, goddess of music. The Bansuri (bans [bamboo] + swar [musical note]) is a transverse alto flute made of a single length of bamboo and has six or seven open finger holes. There are no keys to produce sharps and flats, therefore all accidentals and microtones, as well as meend (glissandi) and other ornaments, so important to Indian classical music, are produced by a unique fingering technique. The Bansuri with its pastoral association and the chosen instrument of Lord Krishna, is one of the oldest musical instruments of India: it is mentioned in the Vedas and is depicted in the Buddhist art of 2,000 years ago. One Sanskrit verse credits the Bansuri as the source of swarajnana - the knowledge of music. Although the Bansuri is among the most ancient musical instruments of India, its status as a concert instrument for north Indian classical music is a relatively recent phenomenon. This favorite instrument of shepherds and folk musicians for thousands of years was brought into the fold of Hindustani classical music by the legendary maestro the late Pandit Pannalal Ghosh . Previously the bamboo flute of North India had been a soprano instrument usually no more than fourteen inches long and was used for short classical pieces, light music or accompaniment. Pannalal Ghosh's innovations in the development of the bansuri included the creation of a larger instrument of more than thirty inches in length, (thus giving the Bansuri its characteristic somber-yet-sweet tone and register, so suitable for Hindustani classical music), and the addition of the seventh finger hole (which extends the range of the instrument, while also allowing for the more accurate rendition of many ragas) and the development of the bass bansuri. Perhaps Pannalal Ghosh's greatest contribution however was his insightful adaptation of the classical vocal style and its presentation on the bansuri. A consummate artist who's virtuosity was equaled by the depth of his understanding, Pandit Pannalal Ghosh singlehandedly elevated the status of the bansuri to that of an instrument capable of expressing the sublime and wondrous nature of the classical vocal style. Some great samples of Bansuri on another site...please remember to come back! http://www.goes.com/~mgreen/ Just a small observation if I may: some people order very large flutes and I don't hear from them again or they then order a smaller flute. It is my feeling that this is usually because they have ordered a flute where the long hole spacing makes it difficult for them to play. For beginners with normal size hands a "C" flute of about 19" long is ideal as a first instrument. Then one can grow into the larger flutes as one's hands become accustomed to stretching more and more... PeterC. To Bansuri Tutorial Videos, Cassettes and Books >>>
 This is a Buckingham Music, Inc. Bansuri flute by Jeff Whittier.
Here is the range of Buckingham Music, Inc.'s flutes by Sri Jeff Whittier.
"F" Flute:
* The tonic (Indian Sa) of the bansuri is the note sounded when 3 finger holes are closed. 6 holes closed determines the key. The same flute may be referred to by either its tonic or key. Please note: Flutes custom made from specially selected pieces of rare bamboo are available at prices about $40.00 higher per flute. Please E-mail or call 254-771-2899.Our flutes are not returnable. As we live in the age of SARS virus and other contagious diseases we do not wish to spread germs. Features:
Price $22.00
Pandit G. D. Sachdev Concert and Recording Model: This very special flute, made from a specially selected piece of rare bamboo, to Pandit G. D. Sachdev's exact specifications is now available here for the first time on-line.
Pandit Hari Prasad Concert and Recording Model:
Please note: this is made as a right-handed flute unless specially ordered. You can order a left handed model for $25 more.
Q: A:
To Cane Flutes (Inexpensive Practice
Bansuri Flutes) >>>
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Bansuri Tutorial Video and Book >>>
Please direct all inquiries to paula@buckinghammusic.com Copyright 1997-2007, N. P. Cutchey, USA. 254-771-2899. All prices and specifications are subject to change without notice. Actual product may vary slightly from that pictured due to the nature of all instruments being handmade. |
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About Sri Jeff Whittier, the expert maker: Jeff Whittier began his formal
study of North Indian music in 1971 with G.S. Sachdev. He is an exponent
of the Indian classical tradition called "Gayaki Ang" or the style of
playing based on Hindustani vocal music. As well as being a noted performer
of the bansuri, or bamboo flute, he is also a master craftsman of the
instrument. In a 40-year career of flute-making he has provided flutes
to some of the most famous musicians of India, including Pt. Hari Prasad
Chaurasia who is the leading bamboo flautist of Hindustani music. His
flutes are also used in the Broadway shows "The Lion King," "Aida," "The
King and I" and "Miss Saigon".
